BNP demands food minister's resignation for rice price hike
Speaking at a discussion in the capital on Saturday, BNP's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir termed the price hike a 'very alarming situation'.
He referred to media reports and said Bangladesh's stock of rice shrank to 191,000 tonnes.
"Why? It's because of the government's lack of foresight. We are in this situation because of the government's incompetence and corruption," Mirza Fakhrul said.
"In my opinion, the government is responsible for this. The food minister should resign and the government should find a replacement."
In response to Qamrul Islam's comments reported in the media that 'dishonest pro-BNP businessmen' were behind the rice price hike, Mirza Fakhrul said: "The government is frightened and trying to find the scapegoat now."
File Photo
The discussion was organised by Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.
At another discussion at the National Press Club, BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain also blamed the government for rice price hike.
"The silos are empty. There is no food security because of the government's whims," he said.
He also slated Food Minister Qamrul, referring to reports that he claimed rice prices have not risen.